2023-24 V.LEAGUE DIVISION1 MEN Regular Round Match 31
March 2 (Sat) 14:05
home game
Panasonic Arena
| Panasonic Panthers |
team | Suntory Sunbirds |
|---|---|---|
|
2 
|
|
3 
|
Match Details
The 2023-24 V.LEAGUE DIVISION1 MEN Match 31 was held on Saturday, March 2, at Panasonic Arena (Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture), where the Panasonic Panthers (hereinafter referred to as the Panthers) faced the Suntory Sunbirds.
[Set 1]
Nishiyama continued to start as he did last week, and Jeschke also returned to the starting lineup. The team scored consecutive points in good fashion, including a service ace from Yamauchi and a block from Ebadipour, but they were blocked by the opponent's high blocks and counterattacks, allowing the opponent to take the lead. However, they scored from Nishiyama's serve to tie the game, and Otsuka's sharp serve landed, successfully turning the score around to 13-11. Although they were caught at 13-13, they regained the lead with tenacious defense and a spike from Nishiyama. The back-and-forth battle continued until the end, but Yamauchi made a block to make it 20-17, and they maintained that lead to take the set 25-20.
[Set 2]
In the early stages, Otsuka and Nishiyama scored calmly, but the opponent also responded by gathering the ball to their ace. The team fell behind 6-10 after being pressured by serves, but Jeschke broke the bad flow by scoring a spike. However, service errors stood out, and they reached the technical timeout at 9-12. Although Fukatsu built the offense mainly from the sides, they were caught by blocks. When Shimizu and Ataru were brought in as a double substitution at 11-18, they created momentum with Ataru's defense and Shimizu's spikes, gradually closing in on the opponent, and Jeschke and Yamauchi also made blocks to tie the game at 20-20. They overturned a maximum 7-point deficit and finally succeeded in turning the game around at 21-20. They went on to win the close deuce battle and took the set 26-24.
[Set 3]
From the beginning, the match remained a close contest with both teams trading side-outs. The Panthers scored points led by Nishiyama, while Otsuka and Yamamoto supported the team with stable receives. After the 12-10 technical timeout, the opponent's blocking and defense began to function, leading to a 14-16 deficit. When Shimizu and Arata were substituted in at 17-21, they created a momentum for a comeback, and despite scoring consecutive points from Yamauchi's serve late in the set, the team lost the set 22-25.
[Set 4]
It was a difficult start, allowing a 0-4 lead, but Nakamoto was immediately brought in for Jeschke. By getting touches on blocks led by Yamauchi and Evade-Dan, and with Nishiyama scoring, the team successfully turned the score around to 7-6. However, the opponent attacked with sharp serves and blocks, putting the team in a 9-11 chasing position. The gap widened to 11-16, but the team returned serve receives well to connect to attacks and applied pressure with serves, looking for a chance to turn the game around. Jeschke was brought back at 17-21, and with the double substitution of Shimizu and Arata, the team played with a good rhythm, closing the gap to one point with plays like a score from Shimizu. However, they fell just short, losing the set 22-25 and heading into a full set.
[Set 5]
The 15-point fifth set began with the team trailing by two points. A back-and-forth battle ensued, with Otsuka leading the scoring. A block by Nishiyama gave the team a 7-6 lead, but they were again pressured by the opponent's serves and forced to chase. However, the Panthers found their rhythm through the defense of Fukatsu and Yamamoto to tie the score, and the seesaw game continued into the final stages. Coach Tillie called a timeout at 11-12. The substitution of Shimizu and Arata proved effective, and consecutive points from Yamauchi's serve led to a turnaround, followed by a deuce. The intense, high-stakes play continued, but a mistake at the final moment led to the defeat.
The Panthers have a record of 28 wins and 3 losses, a winning percentage of 0.90, and a total of 84 points.
They will face the Suntory Sunbirds again tomorrow, Sunday, March 3rd, at home (Panasonic Arena).
Comments from Coach Tillie after the match
It is frustrating to lose such a close match, but I think we fought until the very end. The players who came off the bench also performed well. In particular, it was wonderful that we were able to come from behind to take the second set.
I believe tomorrow's match will also require the strength of everyone on the team.
Thank you for your support!
Comments from Yamauchi after the match
In today's match, we were able to take the first and second sets with our own strength, but from the third set onwards, the opponent took control of the pace, and we faced a difficult situation. In the final set, even when the opponent scored consecutive points, we hung in there, and I don't think the content of our play, which took us to match point, was bad at all. We couldn't quite get that last point, so I want to win tomorrow, and I want to work hard to become a team that can win even in difficult situations.
Thank you for your support.
